Amidst the celebration of Gabon’s 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, who presides over the Forum for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) and was a candidate in the August 2023 presidential election, publicly urged all national stakeholders to forge a ‘National Consolidation Pact’. This initiative is envisioned as a framework to unite patriots around Gabon’s most critical national priorities.
The concept advanced by the FDR president is neither a power-sharing arrangement nor an appeal for the opposition to abandon its fundamental role. Instead, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou seeks to establish a collective commitment among the nation’s diverse active forces. “It would, in fact, involve something far simpler, yet simultaneously more demanding: agreeing on the essentials,” he articulated.
This proposal emerges as Joachim Mbatchi Pambou observes a decline in public discourse. He particularly laments the transformation of political disagreements into personal animosities, advocating for a return to respectful debate. “We can be political adversaries without becoming enemies. We can disagree without hating each other,” he asserted, imploring his compatriots to focus on “the essential.”
According to him, this “essential” foundation should encompass several national imperatives: civil peace and national cohesion, adherence to institutions and the rule of law, social justice, the reduction of inequalities, job creation, enhancement of public services, and the local processing of natural resources.
For the former 2023 presidential contender, the proposed pact must also be instrumental in rebuilding trust among citizens and institutions, between political actors, and between Gabon and its diaspora. Specifically, it should facilitate the restoration of national dialogue, articulate priorities that transcend political transitions, and ensure accountability for commitments made.
Inclusivity
Joachim Mbatchi Pambou does not intend to limit this endeavor solely to political figures. He advocates for an inclusive dialogue platform bringing together institutions, political forces, civil society organizations, the private sector, trade unions, religious denominations, academics, youth, women, and the diaspora. The ultimate goal is to pinpoint a limited number of national priorities, establish precise commitments, and enable citizens to regularly assess progress.
This collective responsibility, he believes, should involve all segments of society. The government, in his view, ought to “listen more and be more accountable,” while the opposition should continue to offer critique, but also present constructive alternatives. Civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora are also expected to play a vital role in this national dynamic.
Through this proposition, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou calls for an end to the pattern where every political divergence escalates into confrontation. He maintains that the nation’s development cannot solely rely on its natural wealth or potential, but equally on its capacity to uphold national cohesion. “No amount of wealth will ever replace national cohesion. Our foremost asset is our ability to live together,” he concluded.
